Three days into the Mumbai racing season and it was trainer Pesi Shroff who was cornering all the limelight on the field. But come Thursday and it was Irish jockey Chris Hayes retained by Vijay Mallya, who delighted the race-goers with his artistic skills aboard Strelitzia (Razeen – Hablitzia) and Violetta (China Visit - Perpetual), both incidentally sent out by Pesi himself.

Just for a moment the thought Chris must`ve thought that the Vallabhdas Adwalia Trophy is in his safe-keep when Strelitzia collared front running Shodaan and Eagle Mountain and probably unaware that danger was lurking behind in the form of Chanakya. Chanakya devoured good ground to range along side Strelitzia and conquered Strelitzia if only for a fleeting second. But Chris didn`t lose focus and drove Pesi`s ward with renewed vigour and it was his powerful finish which clinched the issue from D. K Ashish ridden Chanakya. Eagle Mountain held on to the third slot from Shodaan and Western Challenge, who did well to finish third after losing ground at the start.

	Streltizia (C D Hayes up), winner of the Vallabhdas H Adwalia Trophy, being led in by Mr.Zeyn Mirza & trainer Mr.Pesi Shroff

Violetta was overshadowed in the betting ring by Illuminate and Il Tabarro as she was drawn thirteen in the field of fourteen competing for the upper division of the Chaitanya Chakram Trophy. Unlike Strelitzia, who took over the running in the earlier race, Violetta had to cover some distance when Il Tabarro had just forced Black Falcon into submission. Silvestre De Sousa powered Il Tabarro to assume command but Violetta was inspired by Chris and the filly moved resolutely and stunned the favourite in the shadow of the post. Black Falcon, who showed the way to his rivals till the distance post, retired to be third while Jalsa completed the frame. Silver Sands, Golden Knight and River Lass, who finished behind Jalsa, have the potential to improve from hereon after some sharpening. Illuminate was declared a non-starter after reaching the gates.

Attila (China Visit – Al Dente), also from Pesi`s yard, justified the public support and returned home an easy winner ahead of Blumarine, who may`ve needed this run for sure. Major Wager took the third slot and was followed by a bunch of horses who showed little or no interest in finishing on the judge`s board.

Shiraz Sunderji shared the honours with Pesi and saddled a treble through Ocean Wish (Diffident – Marmalade), Royal Gesture (Brave Hunter – Maiden of Iron) and Oyster Blue ( Tirol – Marathon Maid). He would`ve had a quartet had Chanakya not succumbed to Strelitzia. Ocean Wish was the least fancied of the three runners and the debutant prospered fluently under the guidance of James Doyle and nailed Serenity and on-money favourite Viva La Diva in a three-way finish for the Nauvkhal Plate. Viva La Diva went screeching into the lead with Niall McCullagh in charge but C. D. Katrak`s protégé was found in better part of the last furlong where first Serenity gained an upper hand only to find Ocean Wish toppling her.

Royal Gesture took a smart jump from the stalls but had both Rose of Texas and Torrential for company. But the chestnut filly shrugged off her two rivals and won comfortably in the end. Gamba was seen moving well at the end to pip Torrential for the third place. Fantastic never appeared to be in the hunt and not surprisingly finished seventh behind Sol and Sea Shower, who refused to spend much of their energy on this occasion.

Oyster Blue was also ready for the “occasion” and was backed to the exclusion of her rivals, who regaled the sight of her drawing away from them in the straight. Notability wandered aimlessly before finishing second while ante post favourite The First Lady failed to fulfil the promise shown in her first run this season.

Il Divo turned out to be Pesi`s bloomer of the day. The bay gelding let down most of the moneybags and also students of form with his spineless performance against Ares, who had finished four-and-a-half lengths behind Il Divo during their last encounter. Royal Crown finished third with Zarzaitine in close tow.

Nirad Karanjawala saddled Aristocratical (Flitch – Athinai) notched her second successive victory and was guided confidently by C. Ruzaan as she weathered the opposition of both Oriental Magic and Eye of the Storm, who raced on the outer lane for no apparent reason. Gold Biscuit appeared to be on a weight-reducing mission.